Minutes
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 7
th April 2026.
Public Forum
There were no members of the public present.
Councillors
C. Hainsworth (Vice Chair), C. Russell, L. McShane, R. Chatterton, T. O’Regan, R. Brocklebank,
S. Jordan-Bird.
In Attendance
Eleanor Parfitt, Clerk to the Parish Council.
LCC Cllr C. Vernon.
SKDC Cllr B. Green.
Agenda
Item No
2025.179 Apologies for absence.
E. O’Neill, D. Heath-French, D. Bellamy, M. Childs, valid reasons given.
2025.180 Chair’s remarks.
Cllr C. Hainsworth (Vice Chair) welcomed everyone acknowledging that they were
already aware and prepared that they would be chairing this meeting in the absence of
Cllr E. O’Neill (Chair).
2025.181 Declarations of interest in accordance with the LGA 2000
Cllr C. Russell as the husband of a trustee of the Ingle Charity for agenda item
2025.194.
2025.182 Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting.
Cllrs L. McShane, R. Chatterton, R. Brocklebank. S. Jordan-Bird abstained as they were
not present at the previous meeting. All others present agreed that the official minutes
of the meeting of the Parish Council held on the 3rd March 2026 be approved as a
correct record and duly signed and dated by the Vice Chair.
2025.183 County/District Cllr Report.
SKDC Cllr B. Green reported: -
• SKDC has now agreed a council tax increase of 2.99% after a proposed
amendment of 1.99% with proposed savings did not succeed.
• Deliveries of food caddies have taken place. Some areas have missed deliveries
but caddies can be requested online. Cllr happy to personally chase up if
required. First collections to take place next week with comprehensive
information having been provided about what can be included in the bins which
is more than can be typically composted in the garden. Cllr wanted to reassure
that collections are to operate in tandem with current collections and an initial roll
of liners is provided. The waste will be going to anaerobic digestion.
• With regards to the local government re-organisation now planned for 2028, it
now appears that smaller county units will be the preferred option rather than
large areas keeping population units to 250,000 rather than 500,000. This would
be around 3 councils for the Lincolnshire area with SKDC backing a merger with
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Agenda
Item No
North Kesteven and South Holland. Questions remain over the cost savings to
be found from the re-organisation.
• The proposed energy storage site off the High Dyke will not be on SKDC’s April
planning committee agenda but Cllr will keep a close eye on the situation. Cllr
reported that Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue are against the plan as they do not
have the staff to tackle a potential fire at the site.
LCC Cllr C. Vernon reported: -
• Really interesting feedback was received from a recent meeting with local
residents about the A1 at Great Ponton as there was not support for full closure
of the gaps although approx. 70% in the room wanted to create a one way
in/one way out system for Great Ponton.
• As National Highways were also present at the meeting, Cllr took the opportunity
to ask about the Woolsthorpe slip road (which National Highways refers to as
the Colsterworth slip road). The representative related that there is an issue with
a gas main that they are waiting for Cadent Gas to finish works on before they
can begin work on the drainage issue. MP A. Kearns recognises the impact of
the closure and is keen to get things progressing.
• The application for extended working hours at the Skillington Quarry has now
been made.
Both Cllrs left the meeting at 19:54.
2025.184 Resolve to select an option for switching the Parish Council web and email hosting
package. Full details in Supplementary Information, summary below:
Option 1: Current provider renewal £192.88
Option 2: Current provider upgrade £307.89
Option 3: Switch to Cloud Next* (2GB/.co.uk) £57.98
Option 4: Switch to Cloud Next* (2GB/.gov.uk) £99.99
Option 5: Switch to Cloud Next* (5GB/.co.uk) £107.98
Option 6: Switch to Cloud Next* (5GB/.gov.uk) £149.99
Option 7: Switch to Krystal (5GB/.co.uk) £77.99
Option 8: Switch to Krystal (5GB/.gov.uk) £79.99
*First year free if renewed the following year
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
A short discussion took place as to the pros and cons of the various options before Cllr
C. Russell proposed and Cllr L. McShane seconded to select Option 6 with the Clerk to
implement the switch before the renewal date with the current provider in May.
Unanimously agreed.
2025.185 Resolve to agree to the Draft Conditions of the Cemetery Extension Planning
Application (full details of archaeological survey costs ranging from £5518.52 -
£8355.00 in Supplementary Information – decision on quotes not required at this stage)
and extension of SKDC’s deadline to issue the Parish Council with a formal decision to
Monday 13th April.
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
A discussion took place as to the ability of the Parish Council to reasonably undertake
such extensive work weighed against the community need for an extension to the
cemetery. It was proposed and seconded to accept the conditions.
Unanimously agreed.
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Agenda
Item No
2025.186 Resolve to sign the LCC Parish Grass Cutting Agreement for 2026/2027 with a
contribution figure of £6231.62 (increase from 2025/2026 figure of £6077.12).
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
Unanimously agreed.
2025.187 Risk Exception Report
Received with the following comments:
Cllrs agreed for the clerk to schedule an urgent F&A Committee meeting to review a
proposal for locum cover for the Clerk for a period of four months from 30th June 2026.
2025.188 Clerks Report Action
1. Nuisance Parking Report made to LCC following Cllr T. O’Regan’s report
at the Parish Council meeting in March of cars regularly parked on the
pavement on Colster Way.
Clerk
2. In Touch advertising renewals invoices sent for accounts renewing for
April 2026 to April 2027.
Clerk
3. Enquiries sent in relation to Cemetery Extension Planning Application for
quotations for a Written Scheme or Archaeological Investigation.
Clerk
4. Invitations sent to local figures to speak at the Annual Parish Meeting on
Tuesday 21st April 2026.
Clerk
5. Missing fixings identified on cradle seat of swing at the Colster Way Play
Area. Replacement being sent from Wicksteed.
Clerk
6. Woolsthorpe Road allotment holders contacted regarding responsibility to
keep back path clear of obstructions.
Clerk
7. Enquiries sent to request information about locum cover for the parish
clerk.
Clerk
8. Comment submitted on 1st April 2026 on behalf of the Parish Council in
relation to Planning Appeal Reference: APP/E2530/W/25/3370866.
Thank you to Cllrs Chatterton and Bellamy for drafting the revised
comment.
Clerk
2025.189 Correspondence
1. Email from LCC about the Lincolnshire County Council Bus Shelter Grant
Scheme which offers up to £3,000 per shelter for new bus infrastructure
or for repairs and refurbishment of existing shelters.
Clerk/Cllrs
2. Monthly information email received from The Environment Agency about
dredging and desilting.
Clerk/Cllrs
3. Email from SKDC to notify that the 2026/2027 Budget has been
approved. More information can be found here: https://southkestevendcnewsroom.prgloo.com/news/south-kesteven-district-council-approves202627-budget.
Clerk
4. Update from National Grid on the Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire
portion of The Great Grid Upgrade project. Updated proposals expected
soon ahead of a further public consultation later in 2026 with briefings to
be offered to parish councils. An application will be submitted to the
Planning Inspectorate in 2028.
Clerk/Cllrs
5. Invitation from LCC to Cllrs to attend virtual meetings on their proposals
for the future of Local Government in Lincolnshire as part of the
Government’s consultation.
Clerk/Cllrs
6. Invitation from SKDC to complete the second Age Friendly Communities
Survey for residents age 50+. The survey can be completed online here:
https://forms.office.com/e/ybB8b0FPCh. Survey closes on Friday 27th
March 2026.
Clerk/Cllrs
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7. Notification from LCC of a Temporary Traffic Restriction at Colsterworth.
Reason for restriction: Drainage cleaning & jetting
Nature and location of restriction:
Road closure Order - B6403 High Street (Between Spring Lane & The
Ropewalk)
Period of restriction:
20/04/2026 - 20/04/2026, 08:00 - 16:00
Accurate dates and times will be displayed on site in advance. Diversion
routes and vehicular or pedestrian access arrangements will be
signposted.
Clerk/Cllrs
8. Notification from LCC of a Temporary Traffic Restriction at Stainby by
Lincs Comms Ltd.
Reason for restriction: Install new duct for telecoms
Nature and location of restriction:
Road closure Order - Middle Street, Post Office Hill, and Water Lane
Period of restriction:
20/04/2026 - 10/05/2026
Accurate dates and times will be displayed on site in advance. Diversion
routes and vehicular or pedestrian access arrangements will be
signposted.
Clerk/Cllrs
9. Invitation from SKDC to nominate volunteers/community groups for the
SK Community Awards. Full details can be found here:
https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/skcommunityawards2026. Nomination
deadline Tuesday 31st March 2026.
Clerk/Cllrs
10. Invitation to participate in research by Newcastle University and DEFRA
about the socio-economic impacts on rural communities of how land is
used.
Clerk/Cllrs
11. Message from Woolsthorpe Road allotment holders regarding the issue
with access – enquiries ongoing with Anglian Water. Further issues with
overgrown hedges and a builder’s bag – clerk to investigate.
Clerk
12. Invitation from SKDC to councillors to take part in the following
consultations:
1. Draft Statement of Community Involvement Consultation (deadline for
submissions Friday 24th April 2026)
2. Draft Design Code Consultation (deadline for submissions Monday
27th April 2026)
Clerk/Cllrs
13. Update received from SKDC on the Local Plan Timetable – Revised
Local Development Scheme 2026-2029 which can be viewed here:
www.southkesteven.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-
01/Local%20Development%20Scheme%202026%20-%202029.pdf.
The next stage of consultation on the new Local Plan will be on the
Regulation 19 Pre-Submission Local Plan which is due to take place in
September – October 2026. For more information on the new Local Plan
please visit the following webpage:
www.southkesteven.gov.uk/localplanreview
Clerk/Cllrs
14. Update received from the Frederick Ingle Charity in relation to the Phase
Two Information Board for the Nature Trail. Added to agenda for
discussion.
Clerk/Cllrs
15. Notification from Cllr R. Brocklebank of out of date web search results on
Google for the Parish Council website. Clerk to request a Google web
crawl to update search results.
Clerk
16. Request from new local veterinary care business received via the In
Touch editor to advertise in In Touch for the next 12 months. Invoice
sent.
Clerk
17. Notification of post sent to previous clerk’s address to be collected by
current clerk. Many thanks to Sue for your continued help.
Clerk
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18. Call from Mo Taylor of the Nature Trail to say that felling of trees affected
by ash die back will most likely not take place until next year as KWR
Logs currently not available to carry out work.
Clerk/Cllrs
19. Call from Mo Taylor of the Nature Trail notifying that garden waste has
been left on the trail behind the houses on Woolsthorpe Road. Clerk to
investigate and issue letters to households concerned.
Clerk/Cllrs
20. Notification from SKDC that collections of household food waste
recycling caddies will begin on Monday 13th April. Anyone who has not
received a caddy should contact the council via the form here:
https://tinyurl.com/missingcaddy
Clerk/Cllrs
21. Application for a double allotment plot at Stamford Road received.
Tenancy agreement and invoice issued.
Clerk
22. Notification from LCC of a Temporary Traffic Restriction at Lobthorpe.
Reason for restriction: Anglian Water meter exchange
Nature and location of restriction:
Road closure Order - Woolleys Lane (Between 1500m & 2000m
Southwest of Overgate Road)
Period of restriction:
18/05/2026 - 18/05/2026, 09:00 - 16:00
Accurate dates and times will be displayed on site in advance. Diversion
routes and vehicular or pedestrian access arrangements will be
signposted.
Clerk/Cllrs
2025.190 SKDC Planning Applications
S26/0391 Replace existing conservatory.
Location: 1 Manor Court, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, NG33 5ND
Deadline for comment 27th March 2026.
No
comment
S25/2050 Proposed residential annexe to the rear garden.
Location: 7 The Row Rectory Lane North Witham Lincolnshire NG33 5LQ
Deadline for comment 15th April 2026.
S26/0525 Single story front extension to increase size of lounge.
Location: 3 Beech Close Colsterworth Lincolnshire NG33 5NG
SKDC Planning Conditions
S25/1979 Cemetery Extension
Location: Old Post Lane
Added to agenda for discussion.
PLANNING APPLICATION ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
S24/0568 Proposal: Erection of an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility and carbon
capture, improvement of existing and part creation of new access track,
landscaping and other associated infrastructure.
Location: Development East Of Sewstern Industrial Estate South Of,
Sewstern Road, Gunby, Lincolnshire, NG33 5RD
In relation to Planning Appeal Reference: APP/E2530/W/25/3370866,
applicant has submitted further information to the Planning Inspectorate
relating to an Environmental Statement under Regulation 25 of the Town
and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations
2017.
Comment
submitted
2025.191 Finance and Administration (F & A) Committee Report (Cllrs C Hainsworth, E
O’Neill, M Childs, C Russell). Next meeting tbc.
1. Update on the Community Car Park.
No update. The Parish Council is happy to work with any group who wishes to take it
on.
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2. Net Position by Cost Centre and Code 30/03/2026
Received with no comments.
2025.192 Planning Committee Report
Neighbourhood Plan Review. On Hold.
Group Reports
2025.193 Highways & Footpaths Working Group.
No report.
All Fix My Street (FMS) Reports can be found at
https://fixmystreet.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
2025.194 Environment & Amenities Working Group Report.
Update from Cemetery Extension Working Group. -
Refer to Agenda Item 2025.185
Update from Nature Trail Interpretation Board (Phase 2) Working Group. –
Clerk read a report received from a recent meeting of the Trustees of the Frederick
Ingle Charity where ideas suggested included a history of the railway line and ironstone
workings, old photographs, wildlife - flowers, butterflies, etc, of the area and possibly a
QR code for more historical information. It was also suggested that it may be an idea to
talk with former employees.
Clerk to forward this to the working group for discussion and to propose a partnership
with the Ingle Charity to take it forward.
2025.195 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT FEBRUARY 2026
Unanimously approved see Appendix A.
2025.196 Matters requiring attention such as potholes and faulty streetlights.
Cllr S. Jordan-Bird reported: -
• A resident informed them of an overgrown hedge on Colster Way which is
hindering the view for traffic heading towards the A1. Clerk to send a letter to
resident concerned.
• That they are aware of a number of potential volunteers for the Community
Speed Watch scheme and will ask that they contact the Clerk to arrange
training.
Cllr T. O’Regan reported:-
• A developing pothole on the High Street where Back Lane comes out near the
War Memorial. Clerk to investigate and report to FMS.
• The need for the Village Hall at the Colsterworth Social Club to be retained for
the village.
The Parish Council recognises the value of it as a community asset.
Cllr R. Brocklebank reported a continuing issue with railings missing at the Woolsthorpe
Road play area. Clerk to request repairs.
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Clerk reported on the ongoing issue with access to the Woolsthorpe Road allotments.
The Parish Council agreed for the Clerk to investigate possible fixes.
Updates from Cllrs or Clerks Training Courses attended.
Clerk attended the HMRC webinar ‘What’s New for 2026/2027’ on 20/03/2026.
2025.197 The date of the next Parish Council meeting is Tuesday 5
th May 2026. There being no
other business, the Vice Chair, Cllr C. Hainsworth closed the meeting at 21:05 pm.